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Are you looking for a new horse or pony? Ever thought about rehoming a Blue Cross equine? Or are you planning on getting a new pet? Have a look at our animals for adoption.
Who Are The Blue Cross
We have been caring for animals for more than 100 years. When we started out, in 1897, we were called Our Dumb Friends League but we changed our name in the 1950s because of the role our Blue Cross fund played in helping sick and needy animals in the two World Wars.
Caring for horses is at the heart of our history and in 1900 we bought the first horse ambulance to be used on London’s streets. In 1902, when many places in London closed their water troughs because of an outbreak of the horse disease glanders, we persuaded companies using horse transport to carry a bucket on the back of each vehicle so the horses could still be watered.
In 1905 we set up a scheme to station draught horses at the bottom of London’s steep hills to help smaller horses pull heavy loads.
Today we have three equine centres which look after more than 100 horses at any one time and we have around 500 out on loan. Many people find our loan scheme the perfect way to provide a horse or pony with a loving home. We also help needy dogs, cats and small animals and we have 11 adoption centres dedicated to caring for, rehabilitating and rehoming pets.
Many of these are unwanted, some are strays and others are much-loved pets whose owners have sadly died. We work hard to give them a second chance in life.
Our four animal hospitals care for pets whose owners can’t afford private vets’ fees and we carry out more than 50,000 consultations a year.
We also educate people on responsible animal ownership and we regularly visit schools and branches of The Pony Club to talk to children about animal welfare and the work of The Blue Cross.
Here are just some of the faces we’ve helped along the way:
Blue Cross is one of Britain’s oldest animal welfare charities. Horse & Pony welfare has been at the heart of Blue Cross since 1897. Our dedicated rehoming centres in Oxfordshire and Staffordshire tend over 100 horses at any one time. With over 500 horses out in loan homes we are committed to providing the best in equine care.
Blue Cross has a network of education volunteers around the UK who are CRB-checked and trained to speak to young people about responsible horse ownership. Our free talks include information about the history of our work with horses as well as welfare issues and responsible horse and pony care.
A visiting speaker can help Pony Club Members work towards the 10 Pony Club Achievement Badges, and ultimately their Blue Cross Equine Welfare Merit badge.
Horse & Pony welfare talks are part of a Blue Cross programme of information and education, including free talks to schools and youth groups on responsible pet care.
To check the availability of a volunteer speaker in your area, contact:
education@bluecross.org.uk
0845 370 1027
Sam was originally bred in his previous home with a view to being his previous owner’s new competition horse. Unfortunately after a series of very unfortunate events his owner decided to sign him over to the Blue Cross. Sam had been sent to many “so called” experts in his previous home for training which did not go to plan. Sam ended up very confused and would react by rearing and bucking when frightened or through lack of understanding.
It was apparent that Sam needed re backing and re schooling. He was anxious at times and would become “bargy” on the ground, however the expertise of the grooms soon had Sam working nicely on the flat and over jumps.
It took the centre quite a while to find the right match for Sam as they were looking for a specific home for him, luckily for Sam the Thompson family were very experienced and would have the expertise of their trainer to guide them throughout the process of bringing him on. Sam competed at The Pony Club Championships in 2012!
H and his mother Sovereign were signed over by a fireman to the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies when he lost the use of his stabling and land. Sovereign was 25 years old when she had H (who was her first foal) so consequently H did not have a very good start in life and they were both in a poor state. After two years of rehabilitation H came to the Blue Cross for re-homing having been lightly backed in a loan home.
His training continued at the Blue Cross and he learnt to work nicely in the school and loved to jump a course of jumps. He really enjoyed hacking around site and quickly became one of the groom’s favourites. H is a lovely all round pony who can be a little scared of life at times but otherwise a dream to train.
After a year at the centre H was re homed to an experienced home who were willing to continue his education and compete him. Since at the home he has come on leaps and bounds and his borrower has been taking him to Show Jumping and Cross Country Competitions and they are doing really well.
